Centrifugal air-compressor.



R. H. RICE.

CENTRIFUGAL AIR COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1908.

Patentd Feb. 17, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witnesses: Y I IYWVQHOV;

' l cqttly R. H. RICE.

GENTRIIUGAL AIB. COMPRESSOR.

APPLIUATION FILED 1111116, 1908.

Patentelv Feb. 17, 1914.

5 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

Eiga@ Witnesses Inyen'qer Fcher-d. H. Rice, yM#

R. H. RICE'.

GENTRIFUGAL AIR COMPRESSOR.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 16, 1908. 1 ,087,401. Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I Inventor; Rlchar'd H. Rice,

M pqbby.

III- I IIH.

Witnesses:

R. H. RICE.

GENTRIPUGAL AIR COMPRESSOR.

ice,

p h wat By M 04u-:yu

Witness s:

R. H; RISE. GBNTRIPUGAL AIR COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16, 190B.

- Patented Feb. 17,1914.

5 BHBETSfBHEI-IT 6.

H VMM l lIIIlIIIIIlI'I lll@ el UMH Wbnesses: 5" Inventor,

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y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IiICHAIm fr. RICE, or LYNN, MAssACHUsE'r'rs, AssIGNoR 'ro GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY, .a CORPORATION 0F NEW Ypma CENTRIFUGAL AIR-COMPRESSOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 16, 1908. Serial No. 442,773.

' vention, Figure I is an axial section of a multistage air compressor;Fig. 2 is an axial section taken on line 2-'2 of Fig. 4. and illustratesparticularly the arrangement of parts whereby fluid discharged by oneimpeller 'is conveyed to opposite sides of thev .next 20' impeller .ofhigher pressure; Fig. 3 is a perspective vView 'of the casing partlybroken away to show the passages therein for conveying fluid from thepoints of discharge of the impellers to the passages the diaphragms;Fig. 4 is a cross-section o f' the compressor taken on line 4-4 of Fig.2, and shows particularly the passages in one .of the diaphragms; Fig. 5is a view in side elevation of one of the diaphragme -for d ividing thecompressor into stages; Fig, 6 is a diametrical section of thesame; Fig.7

. is a cross-section taken on line 77 Aof--Figt 1 and shows particularlya cooling chamber in one of the diaphragms withmieans for supplying"cooling fluid thereto; Fig. '8 1S a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1and v'shows the relation of one of -the impellers and the dischargevanes of its annular noz'- zle; Fig. 9 .isl a longitudinal section ofthe casing and shows the Various passages' and ports therein whichreceive -luid from one impeller andfconvey 1t to' the passages thediaphragms; Fi 10 is an velevation `viewed from the insi e of the headon the admission end of the compressor; and Fig. 11 is a similar View ofthe' head at the dis. charge end of the compressor. j

' 1 indicates th lower half of the casing, and 2 the upper, the lane ofdivision beingv axial, see Figs. 4,. 8, and 9; The' cas 'ing is providedwith aninletehead" and an outlet or .discharge head 4'. The parts of thecasing and heads are flanged and se` cured togetherby the bolts 5. Thelower half of the casing is provided with lprojections'or feet 6 thatrest on' and are supported by the bed-plate 7 In building tHe casingtheadjacent surfaces of the halves thereof are machined and the holes4for the bolts /5 tapped, after'which the two parts' Patented Feb. 17,191e.

are fastened together and the interior of the casing bored to therequired diameter. It is to be noted that the'inner wall or surface ofthe casing is cylindrical in so far asthe' machined surfaces areconcerned, hencel the boring operation is very simple. There arepassages or conduits for conveying air to the impellers, which open intothe cylindrical bore, as will appear later, but these are not finished.

Mounted on the bed-plate at opposite ends are bearings 8 and 9, whichsupport the shaft 10. through the inlet and outlet heads, packings 11Aare provided of any approved construction to' preventair from leakingoutwardly. Secured to the shaft and rotating lwith it y are as manyimpellers 12 as there are stages in the compressor. Each of theseimpellers is provided with two sets of 'blades or vanes 13, one on eachsidefbf the'main body. The blades may beintegral with said body, but

preferably they consist of separate piecesof sheet metal cast into-thebody in such manner that ythey project from o posite sides' thereof;thus one piece of metalpforms two blades. The cross-sectional area-s ofthe various passages or spaces betweenfthe. im

peller blades and those in the nozzlesv and casing decrease somewhatfrom the inletv to the exhaust to compensate for the decreased 'volumeof the airor other Huid undergoing compression.

Located between each two ofthe impellers is a diaphragm 14, shown inedge elevation-- and' in section in Figs. 5 and 6. It will lbe notedthat thediaphragm is a thick-circular disk having dished faces 15, and acentral packed aperturegl for the lshaft lto pass through. In. the bodyof the diaphragmA isa plurality of radial passages 17, 18, Fig. 4,thezdrawings showing eight, for example.

, Concentric with the central openingLare two annular chamlielsl), 20,-Fig. 6, which open i 105' radiallyinward. "The chamber 19communicate-s-,withthe fradial passages 17, and the chamber 2O with thepassages 18, said/passages valternating lwith 'each other as shown,

Where the shaft passes,

In the body of the diaphragm are one or more closed' annular chambers21, Figs. 1,6 and 7, lying on each side of the passages 17, 18, andconnected at intervals by passageways 22, Fig. 4. Water or other coolingfluid is admitted to the chambers 21 by a suitably packed pipe 23 anddischarged by one or more pipes 24. It is to be noted that each of thesephragni' whic renders it unnecessary to make any packed 'joints betweenthe periphery of the diaphragm and the inner surface f the casing. Thepacking 25 around each pipe where it passes through the casing preventsthev escape of the Huid undergoing compression. The periphery of eachdiaphragm is provided with two oppositely disposed annular shoulders 26.These lshoulders serve to Support and center the annular nozzles thatsurround the impellers, receive the fluid discharged, therefrom andreduce its velocity and at the lsame time increase its density. Eachnozzle comprises two ring-like portions 27, which rest on the shoulders,and the space between them is divided into passages by the partitions28, best shown in Fig. 8. These partitions receive and direct the fluidas it leaves'the impeller in a tangential direction `with relativelyhigh velocity and under a certain pressure due to centrifugal action.'Ilie passages diverge from the inlet to the exhaust by an amountsuiiicient to reduce the velocity of the fluid iindergoing compressionand increase its density before discharging it into the chamber whichsurrounds the nozzles and is fiirmed in the casing proper. By actualtests I have demonstrated the fact that the efficiency of my improvedcompressor is improved by using the type of nozzle described.

Fluid to be compressed enters by the inlet 3a andrfills the annularsupply chamber 29, lfrom which it flows, as indicated by the arrows,Fig. 1, to the left-hand side of the first-stage impellerthrough acentral openy ing 30 in the inner wall 31 of said chamber, concentricwith the shaft. It also flow-s or left-hand diaphragm f14 in Figs. 1 and2,

through which it flows into the concentric chamber 19 and issues thenceinto the iinpeller chamber at the bases or'inner ends of the vanes. Thecentrifugal action throws the air from the -periphery of the impellerout through the nozzles into an annular or circumferential receiver 34formed in the in'- side of the casing. The ducts 33 pass plipes isthreaded into the dianospam'.

around outside of this receiver, as shown in Fig. 2.

The receiver 34 has four eqiiidistant enlargements 34l alternating withthe ducts 33 and extending into the same radial plane therewith, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9, where'they connect with the radialpassages 18 in the. same diaphragm as before. rlhrough these passagesthe air flows into the chamber 20, from which it is delivered to theleft-hand side of the second impeller, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Theair also escapes from the enlargements 34a through ducts 35, which passoutside of the receiver 34 of said second impeller and therefore aroundthe periphery of said impeller and deliver the air to the radialpassages 17 of the second diaphragm, by which said air is delivered tothe right-hand side of the second impeller. In order to avoid skewiiigthe ducts`35, the passages 17 in they second diaphragm are located inthe same longitudinal plane as the passages 18 in the first diaphragm.The succeeding diaphragms and impellers are similarly arranged, the airforced by each impeller into its receiver being led thence throughpassages in the casing and the diaphragms to both sides of the nextimpeller, Auntil it reaches the last receiver but one, from which itpasses into the radial passages 18 of the riglit-liand diaphragm andalso into passages 36, Fig. 2 in the head 4, leading to the right-handside of the final impeller. From the last or right-hand receiver 34b theair flows through ports 37 to the annular chamber 38 in the head 4,whence it is delivered through the outlet 4a.-

It will be observed that the diaphragms and nozzles are circular, andthat when assenibled on the shaft with the vintervening impellers theyform a cylindrical body which fits snugly into thecylindricallyl-machined casing. This mode of construction facilitatesthe making of the parts and the assembling of the machine.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle ofoperation of my invention, together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but

I desire to have it understood that the ap-` paratus shown is onlyillustrative and that the invention Ncan be carried out by other means.v

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. A centrifugal air compressor comprising a casing having a cylindricalbore, a plurality of rotatable impellers, each having a central webandblades on opposite sides thereof which receive fluid independently,an annular nozzle for each iinpeller which converts velocity of thefluid into pressure, diaphragms between the impellers provided withpassages arranged in substantially the same plane, and means coperating`with.

said passages for leading the air from each nozzle simultaneously toboth' sides of the s nextimpeller.

2. A centrifugal air compressor comprising a casing'having a cyllndricalbore, a plurality of rotatable impellers each having a' central web andblades on-opposite'sides thereof which receive vfluid independently,`

pellers provided with passages angularlyarranged with respect to eachother, an annu lar receiving chamber for each impeller,circumferentially arranged axial ducts connected in parallel thatcoperate with said passages to receive air from the chambers and conductit inward to the center of the next impeller onone side thereof, andalso around the periphery of eachimpeller .on the outside of itsreceiving chamber and then inward to its center on the other .sidethereof, -a casing, and an inlet and an outlet for said casing.

4. A centrifugal air compre'ssorcompris-` ing a plurality of rotatableimpellers,- and diaphragms between each two impellerscontainingalternating sets of passages arranged in substantially the same plane,each impeller receiving air at its-center fromv pas- 'sages in thediaphragme which are locatedon opposite sides ofthe impeller. j

5. A centrifugal air compressor comprising a plurality of rotatableimpellers, diaphragms containing passages arranged substantially in thesame plane which lead-alternately to impellers -on opposite sides ofsaid diaphragms, and nozzles for reducing the velocity of the air whichare supported by adjacent diaphragme.

6. Aicentrifugal air compressor comprising a casing having an inlet anda discharge conduit, a plurality of rotatable impellers,

taining central annular chambers opening Ain opposite directions andpassages carrying fluid at differentpressures and communieatingalternately with said chambers, said passages being arrangedsubstantially' in the same plane transverse to thel axis of the 7. Acentrifugal air compressor, comprisingaplurality of" rotatableimpellersfand diaphragms 'containing passages v arranged and diaphragmsbetween. the impellers consubstantially in the central planes of saiddiaphragme which lead alternately to impellers on opposite sides of saiddiaphragms, and one or more mclosed annular cooling chambers. l

' 8. A diaphragm for use in a centrifuga air compressor having aplurality of im pellers, consisting of a thick annular disk havingdislied f aces and shouldered'edges, and containing oppositely openingchambers working at'diferent pressures and pas# sages arrangedsubstantially in the same pla-ne for conducting air to said chambers.

9. A centrifugal' multi-stage compressor comprising a plurality ofrotatable i'ni-` pellers each having blades on opposite sides of thebody, a shaft therefor, diaphragms between the impellers havingshoulders on their outer edges and dished side'faces formwinglenticular. chambers forsaid impellers, said faces acting to confine thefluid in the vane spaces ofthe impeller, nozzle rings, .each of'which issupported on the shoulders of two adjacent diaphragms at thecircumference of said impeller chambers, partitions that `divide theVspace between the nozzle rings into passages, passages in thediaph'ragms that y,convey fluid left and right to the adjacentimpellers, a casing, and an inlet and an outlet for the casing.

10.v Av centrifugal air compressor, .com-- prising a plurality` ofimpellers, each having vanes on ovpplosite'` sides, diaphragms con#taining passages-far conveying air leftan'd z right to the centers of.'the adjacent impellers, a casing con aining' annular receivers to whichair delivered by said impeller has 4umestricted access, a plurality ofcircumferentially arranged ducts connected in lparallel inthe casingthat are situated outside ofthe receivers and convey air .from

certain of said receivers to` passages in the diaphragm, and aninletandvan outlet for V the casing. l

11.A centrifugal air compressor comprising a plurality of yrotatableimpellers,

annular .nozzles extending around lthe periphery of the impellers,chambers into. which the nozzles deliver air, and diaphragms betweeneach two impellers, each diaphragm having pa ssages" arranged Sinsubstantially the same plane that 1 receive air from the chambers anddeliveringvit toA the inlets of the twoV impellers between which saiddiaphragm is arranged.

l2.. A centrifugal air compressor comprising a casing having an inletand n outle't, diaphragms for dividing the casing into compartments,each diaphragm containing two sets of passages arranged in substantiallythe same rplane, one set supplying fluid to the impelleron-one side andthe other set to the impeller on the other side and at a dii'erentpressure, and a double inlet impeller for each compartment, certain ofsaidV tending completely around the periphery of nular receivers thatreceive air each impeller which is provided with vanes for vreducing thevelocity of the air delivered thereby, each of said nozzles beingsupported by two adjacent diaphra ms, an-

rom.the nozzles and convey it directly to some of f the passages inthediaphragm, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged ducts whichconvey air from around certain of the receivers and deliver it-topassages in the diaphragms. 'l

14. In an air compressor, thecombination of a casing having an inlet andan outlet, diaphragms that divide the casing into compartments, animpeller for each compartment, an annular nozzle which surrounds eachimpeller, annular receivers which register with the nozzles and areformed in the casing, and passages in the diaphragms that are arrangedin sets and in substantially` the vsame plane, certain of those in onedia' vphragm coperatlng with certain "others 1n another diaphragm tosupply air to the inlet of `an impeller. j j 15. yIn an aircompressor,the combination vof a casing having an inlet, an outlet and acylindrical bore, circular diaphragms that i are fitted to said bore anddivide the casing into compartments, each 'of said diaphragmsbeingprovidedwith chambers on opposite sides adjacent its center towhich fluid un' der different pressures is admitted through passages insaid diaphragms arranged in substantially theisame plane, a packingcarriedby each diaphragm that cooperates with the rotating parts of thecompressor to -prevent fluid from one vchamber entering the other, anozzle for each impeller'which reduces the velocity of the fluiddischarged by` it, and conduits that convey the Huid from manana thenozzles to the chambers in the dia-i phragms.

16. A prising-a casing, impellers, a shaft on which the impellers aremounted, and diaphragms that divide the casing into compartments for theimpellers, each of said diaphragme centrifugal air compressor comhavingtwo chambers surrounding the shaft,

a wall between the chambers, and separate passagesl in the diaphragmleading from its outer portion lto each chamber, said pas! sages beingarranged in substantially the same plane.

17. A centrifugal compressor comprising a casing, impellers, a shaft onwhich the impellers are mounted, diaphragme that divide the casing intocompartments for the impellers, each .diaphragm being provided with twochambers surrounding the shaft, a wall between the chambers, a packingbetween said wall and-the shaft, outer walls,

inner walls arranged in substantially parallel relation to veach otherandv connected to the first wall, passages formed between the .innerwalls that lead fromjth'e outer por- I4tion of the diaphragm tothechambers, and

cooling chambers formed between said inner and outer walls. y

18. In a 'centrifugal apparatus, combination of a casing having an inletand an outlet, diaphragms dividing the casing into compartments, whichare provided with passages extending toward the impeller shaft andopening left and right at their inner ends, impellers inthecompartments, a shaft therefor, an annular nozzle for each impeller,annular receivers registering with i each nozzle which are provided withcircumferentiall'y arranged enlargements from which fluid flows directlyto certain of the diaphragm passages, and circumferentially arrangedducts connected in parallel oc- Acupying 4positions between said'enlargements' and conveying iiuid from receivers to other diaphragmpassages. j

Inwitness whereof, I have hereunto set my handthis ninthl day of July,1908.

. RICHARD H. RICE. v'

Witnesses:v JOHN A. MCMANUS, Jr., HENRJY 0. WESTENDARP.

